Passage

To tackle the problem of pollution in cities, policy makers think that drastic actions like temporary use of odd-even number scheme for vehicles, closing schools, factories, construction activities, and banning the use of certain type of vehicles are a way forward. Even then the air is not clean. Vehicles more than 15 years old comprise one percent of the total; and taking them off the road will not make any difference. Banning certain fuels and car types arbitrarily is not proper. Diesel engines produce more PM 2.5 and less CO2 than petrol or CNG engines. On the other hand, both diesel and CNG engines produce more NOx than petrol engines. No one has measured the amount of NOx that CNG engines are emitting. Arbitrary bans on vehicles that have passed mandated fitness tests and periodic pollution tests are unfair. What is needed is the scientific and reliable information about the source of pollutants on a continuing basis and the technologies that will work to reduce pollution from them.

QUESTION

CSAT

Easy

Comprehension

Prelims 2023

Which one of the following statements best reflects the most logical and rational implication conveyed by the passage?

Select an option to attempt

Explanation

Option A is incorrect: The passage does not focus on difficulty of implementing curbs. It criticizes their arbitrariness and lack of scientific basis, not implementation challenges.

Option B is correct: The author contrasts arbitrary, knee-jerk measures (odd-even rule, banning vehicles, closing schools) with the need for continuous scientific data about pollution sources. Hence, the most logical implication is that evidence-based policy, not knee-jerk reactions, will work better.

Option C is incorrect: The passage mentions pollution tests only to argue that vehicles that pass such tests should not be banned arbitrarily. It does not suggest heavy penalties or emphasize enforcement.

Option D is incorrect: The passage does not claim that laws are absent. It criticizes arbitrary decisions despite existing fitness and pollution testing rules. Thus, absence of law is not the point.

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